My Love for You Broke Me
Chapter 193

Chapter 193

Chapter 193

Emma’s lips curved into a smile. Subsequently, she spoke up happily, "I've wagered a bet with mybrothers that if I manage to get you to invite them for a meal while I'm here, then they will have to giveme fifty thousand each."

As soon as I heard that, I burst out laughing. "You guys are so childish!"

She revealed a pleased expression and she smiled while asking, "Guess how much money I'vereceived this year?"

In fact, Emma was capable and knowledgeable enough to earn money; however, she was poorer thananyone else.

I made a guess by asking, "Did you get at least one million?"

She shook her head despondently. "It was less than half a million."

I smiled and asked, "Why is it so little?"

The children from rich families would always make a fortune every year during celebrations.

Emma was childish as she complained, "I couldn't be bothered to visit the relatives, so I merelyreceived money from my parents and brothers. But then, Christopher's so stingy! I purposely openedup the envelope from him to check the amount that he gave and it was only five thousand inside.Renee, you've given me ten thousand too!"

I could not contain my laughter at that point. "When did you open up the envelope from me?"

She reached out and banged on the stack of envelopes. "The thickness of them are all different and Ican tell by feeling it."

I suggested, "I've got some envelopes left in my bedroom. Do you want a couple more?"

"No, that would make me seem too greedy."

I narrowed my eyes and smiled while looking at her delicate little face. "Next time, I'll give you a biggerone then."

She excitedly shook the keys to her sports car and asked, "Would it be bigger than this one here?"

The frustration that I had experienced lately seemed to dissipate thanks to Emma's presence and I feltvery relaxed and joyful being around her.

Emma placed the envelopes and car keys on the couch and continued to play games on her phone.Out of the blue, I received a text message from Christopher. "Hey little girl, I guess I won’t be headingback to Eldham. I’ll come over later."

I sent him my address before turning to Emma. "Christopher will pay a visit later on."

Emma gave me the side-eye and asked, "I thought he said that he’s busy?"

I explained, "He said he won’t be heading back to Eldham yet."

She responded with a grunt before continuing her game. As for me, I went back to the bedroom to restas I was feeling slightly unwell.

Seeing how my body was heavily dragged back and forth yesterday, I knew I could not endanger mychild anymore. I had to do all I could to protect my baby.

I could no longer approach Shawn without any regard for myself.

I lay in bed for half an hour before the confinement lady arrived, so I got up and prepared dinnertogether with her.

Besides the hotpot, I also prepared some foie gras and steamed fish—my signature dishes. Not onlythat, I also prepared some fresh strawberry juice and orange juice for everyone.

Just as I had finished preparing the meal, the doorbell outside suddenly rang and Emma rushed toopen the door barefooted.

I stood at the entrance of the kitchen and saw Christopher entering with Merlin and the gang.

With a smile, I asked, "Did you guys come together?"

Merlin placed down the gifts in his hand and hugged Emma before replying, "We met downstairs."

Somehow, I noticed that Christopher's expression suddenly turned exceptionally cold.

Merlin released Emma from his hug and frowned while asking, "Why is it so dreary in here?"

My apartment was an open concept, hence, other than a bedroom and a study room, the rest of thetwo hundred square feet was entirely the living area.

Furthermore, the European style of furnishings made the whole place look rather empty and spacious.

James continued Merlin's sentence and said, "It's lucky that we've bought some decorative pieces foryou."

I hurriedly rejected them. "The festivities are over, though."

"Then, keep it here so you can use it next year."

At that point, I was left speechless.

Emma took a seat back on the couch and she crossed her legs, even though she was still busy playingher games. James saw how she stepped onto the couch barefooted and decided to reprimand her,"Emmie, how could you be barefooted as a guest at someone else's house?"

Emma did not even bother to turn her head as she replied, "I'm not a guest at Renee's house."

James was about to say something else but I quickly interjected, "Let's start our meal."

As soon as James heard that, he took the hint and went into the kitchen to help to get everything ready.Once everyone had taken their seats at the dining table, I took out some bottles of beer for them.Emma insisted on drinking wine but I recalled that she had a poor tolerance for alcohol, so I quicklystopped her by saying, "You're underage."

Emma was obedient as she did not insist on having her way.

The men present, other than Christopher, were all loquacious as they had endless topics to talk about.Finally, Merlin directed the topic at me as he asked, "Darling, where's that Shawn of yours?"

Merlin was not too familiar with the details of everything happening between Shawn and me. As such, Iconsidered it for a moment before brushing Merlin off, "He's quite busy in Finland."

Merlin noticed that I was hesitant to say more, so he did not ask any further and instead reminisced bymentioning, "When we first met each other, you were three years younger than Emma right now. I can'tbelieve that you've grown up so quickly in a blink of an eye. All the hardships and difficulties you’vegone through… And in another few months, you'll be a mother!"

My heart swelled as soon as I heard Merlin mention the word ‘mother’ as I looked forward to meetingmy child soon.

I took a sip of juice and replied, "You should hurry up and build a family too."

However, Merlin shook his head and said, "I'm a celibatarian."

As soon as Emma, who was sitting by his side and eating some foie gras heard that, she burst hisbubble by saying, "There is no such thing as a celibatarian. It's either because you haven't metsomeone you like or even if you have, the other party doesn't feel the same way about you!"

Meanwhile, James asked with an amused expression, "Emmie, are you saying that Merlin’s beenspurned by someone?"

Merlin turned to Emma with a slightly threatening look. "I still have your fifty thousand here with me."

Instantly after that, Emma took a different approach and smiled sweetly while saying, "Merlin, you'vegot great qualities and high standards too, so how could you possibly be spurned by anyone, huh? Ifonly I were older, I would chase after you too!"

At that moment, I burst out laughing while covering my mouth and I thought, Emma is so money-minded.

I glanced at Christopher, who was silent the entire time with a cold expression on his face, seatedacross me, after which I directed, "Have you had your fill?"

He was holding half a bottle of beer as he responded lightly with a grunt. At that moment, I heardMerlin, who was seated by my side while still happily being fawned over by Emma, asking, "What areyour plans for next year? Do you still plan to travel the world?"

Emma nodded and replied, "Yeah, I have nothing else to do anyway."

She used to be one of the students in the elite class but after their disbandment, she was now quitebored.

I hesitated as I asked, "Would you like to come back to the Xenos Family with me?"

I meant to ask whether she wanted to rejoin the elite class and Emma instantly caught on to my words.

Merlin responded to my question curiously, "Why would she go back to the Xenos Family with you?"

The lights in the room were shining brightly and Emma's expression was exceptionally solemn at thatmoment.

I pursed my lips and asked anxiously, "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, but I'll wait for him."

Emma meant Shawn. Suddenly, I realized that she was not the only one waiting for his return, butevery other kid in the elite class as well.

I apologized with reddened eyes, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize—"

"It's alright. I wanted to tell you that we worship him."

Since then, there was only the sound of clinking from the beer bottles in the silent air around us.Christopher threw the bottle of beer in his hand into the bin and opened another bottle before handing itover to Merlin and the rest as he spoke calmly, "You guys can continue."

James took over the beer from him and asked, "Who is he and what sort of secrets are you keepingfrom us?"

Meanwhile, Emma merely smiled without revealing a word. She rose to leave the living room andheaded to the living room

……

…

After the meal, Emma and the rest of them started playing card games while I went back to take a restin my room.

Shortly after that, there was a knock on the door.

I sat up in bed and answered softly, "Come in."

As soon as I saw the person walking in, I asked gently, "Why aren't you joining them?"

Christopher was dressed in a cream-colored sweater; he looked quite soft-spoken and gentle in thatattire.

Suddenly, he asked me, "Who's the guy Emma worships?"

As soon as I heard that, I finally sensed that something was amiss. "Do you like Emma?"